Journal de télédétection et SIG

Abstrait

Spatial Distribution of Telecommunication Base Station in Ilorin South Local Government area of Kwara State, Nigeria Using GIS

Kunle Shittu, Mary L Marcellinus1, Pillip O Ibe, Priscilla I Aigbedion1

Information management has become a very important topic in recent times and technological advancement depends more and more on the amount of information that is available in real time. Great nations of today are characterized by the amount of information they harness and how well and efficient this information is being dispersed to its citizen. The growing demand for mobile services has necessitated the increase in communications infrastructure such as towers; which are needed to ensure that there are adequate network coverage and access which guarantee minimum quality of service. The importance of telecommunication masts towards actualizing the effectiveness in communication cannot be underestimated. This study however focused on application GIS in proffering solution to telecommunication masts distribution and their locations in Ilorin South Local Government area, Kwara State, Nigeria. GIS analytical capability was harnessed on some selected telecom masts in the study area, this includes; MTN, GLO, 9MOBILE, AIRTEL, MULTILINK and GOTV. Other features such as roads, buildings, health facilities, fire stations and police stations were all brought to a common reference point for the purpose of analyses. Findings and results from the analyses showed that average height of the telecom masts is 45m while some buildings close to the location of the telecom masts violate the 10m gap distance of Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) and National Environmental Standard Regulatory Enforcement Agency (NESREA). The distribution of GSM Base stations in Ilorin South LGA are in clustered form. This implies that, masts are sited randomly close to each other when viewed against the background of the area perimeter. The study therefore recommends a distance of 65m or more of telecom masts location from public area and the use of collocation should be encouraged on like the HIS and American Tower Company that enables multiple use of telecommunication mast by several telecom operator both in urban and suburban area